As is my usual habit with our reading clubs, I thought I would take a look at a few previous reads from the year; and a quick trawl of the piles I pulled off the shelves revealed these lovelies:
There’s quite a range of different texts there, and interestingly almost all of them are titles I read pre-blog. C.S. Lewis was a huge favourite when I was a child – I loved the Narnia books – and as a young adult went on to enjoy his adult fictions. I’ve still to revisit them – one day… Ed McBain made an appearance here yesterday, and I’ve read all of his books; I’d love to revisit more, including the other two 1956 titles, but I suspect I will run out of time…
The Mishima and Baldwin titles are ones I discoved more recently, in my 40s, and both are fine works which again I would love to have the time to go back to. The Maigret I considered re-reading, as I often choose one of Simenon‘s works for our reading weeks; but the story felt too familiar, having made an appearance on the blog in one of my early, amateurish posts, and so I decided against it in the end.
As for Mervyn Peake, this wonderful collection of his work includes the short story “Boy in Darkness”; a strange and disturbing work, first published in a sci fi anthology, it tells a dark tale of a boy who may or may not be Titus Groan and a disconcerting encounter. I remember it as being odd and unsettling and I confess to being tempted to sit down and read this whole collection again.
However, one book I would really like to highlight is “Every Eye” by Isobel English; this is a lovely Persephone release which I read just before starting the Ramblings, and it’s one of my favourite from the publisher. A short and evocative work at just 119 pages, the narrative tells the story of one woman’s life in alternating sections; looking back at her past and evaluating how she has got to where she is currently, it’s a compelling story with a killer last line (*don’t* ever cheat by looking at it) and I so recommend it. I would love to read it again for 1956, but I think time will be against me. A really great novel(la) and one of Persephone’s finest!
So – those are a few of my previous reads from 1956. Have you read any of these? Which books from the year remain in your mind and your heart?
MarinaSofia
Oct 06, 2020 @ 10:15:42
High praise indeed for Every Eye – you are tempting me once more. And I was going to reread Mishima for the #1956Club – it’s one of my favourite Japanese novels – but the Romain Gary in French is taking me longer than I expected, so I will probably run out of time.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Oct 06, 2020 @ 13:52:25
It’s a marvellous read – one of my favourite Persephones! As for the Mishima, I would have loved to revisit it too, but time is against constantly at the moment!
Anokatony
Oct 06, 2020 @ 13:48:56
And I have never even heard of Isobel English!
Although I did read a novel by Mervyn Peake.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Oct 06, 2020 @ 13:50:38
I hadn’t heard of English until I came across the Persephone book, but it’s wonderful! 😀 As for Peake, I’ve loved his stuff since my teens! 😀
madamebibilophile
Oct 06, 2020 @ 15:00:49
I’m hoping to post on Baldwin later in the week – fingers crossed…
kaggsysbookishramblings
Oct 06, 2020 @ 15:43:50
Excellent! Look forward to it!
Liz Dexter
Oct 06, 2020 @ 15:10:23
Just The Last Battle for me, although I’ve also read a couple of others from this year!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Oct 06, 2020 @ 15:43:41
One day I’ll revisit the Narnia books! 😀
heavenali
Oct 06, 2020 @ 17:36:44
Lots of authors there I’m not familiar with, but I loved Every Eye.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Oct 06, 2020 @ 19:17:44
It’s great, isn’t it? Definitely one of my favourite Persephones!
whatmeread
Oct 06, 2020 @ 17:38:21
Another great Persephone! I’ll have to look for that one.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Oct 06, 2020 @ 19:17:22
It’s a wonderful one! Hope you can track it down!
whatmeread
Oct 06, 2020 @ 20:00:32
I don’t usually see them in bookstores, here, so I have to order them either from Amazon or directly from Persephone.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Oct 06, 2020 @ 20:08:23
They’re worth seeking out though! 😀
whatmeread
Oct 06, 2020 @ 22:50:12
Definitely
Helen
Oct 06, 2020 @ 20:42:15
I’m halfway through Every Eye at the moment and it’s such a beautifully written book! I’ll try to post a review in the next few days.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Oct 07, 2020 @ 10:19:17
Excellent! I loved it – wonderfully atmospheric. Look forward to your thoughts!
winstonsdad
Oct 06, 2020 @ 22:39:35
i read the last battle in my teens
kaggsysbookishramblings
Oct 07, 2020 @ 10:18:34
It’s a very moving one, I recall!
Janakay | YouMightAsWellRead
Oct 06, 2020 @ 23:30:37
I’ve only read the Isobel English, I’m afraid, and that was quite some time ago. I do remember that I enjoyed it. Golden Pavilion and Giovanni’a Room are on my radar, but then — so are thousands of other things. So many books . . . . .
kaggsysbookishramblings
Oct 07, 2020 @ 10:18:20
Indeed – I fear there will *never* be enough time…. Unfortunately, re-reading often suffers because of all the shiny new lovelies – I should try to rectify that!
Simon T (StuckinaBook)
Oct 07, 2020 @ 14:22:27
Oo I might sneak Every Eye into the reading week – I’ve heard quite mixed things about it, so would like to make up my own mind.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Oct 07, 2020 @ 15:47:10
I loved it, so I’d be interested to hear your take on it! 😀
Radz Pandit
Oct 07, 2020 @ 15:58:40
I read Every Eye earlier this year Karen and agree that it’s wonderful. Such a lot going on in such a slim novel. Loved the descriptions of Spain too.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Oct 07, 2020 @ 22:04:07
Isn’t it? I love a short novel with oomph and she writes so well!
helen
Oct 08, 2020 @ 14:16:20
Oh I think I am too late to join in 1956 week but I hope it has been splendid. Fan of Peake and Till We Have Faces here. I thought I had read Every Eye but it doesn’t sound like the book I think it is…
kaggsysbookishramblings
Oct 08, 2020 @ 15:40:41
It’s been fun so far and runs until Sunday if you fancy some quick reading! Every Eye is great and could be squeezed in as it’s quite short!!
JacquiWine
Oct 09, 2020 @ 11:26:30
Of the books in your pile, Every Eye is the one that really appeals to me. From a quick look at wiki, it seems as though English also wrote the introductions for some of the Virago reissues of Olivia Manning’s novels – a fact that makes me want to read her all the more!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Oct 09, 2020 @ 11:44:21
I think you would really like this one, Jacqui – highly recommend it!
anna amundsen
Oct 18, 2020 @ 12:31:46
I am re-reading Titus Groan. To be precise – listening to it while my partner reads it out loud. I was swept away by it the first time I read it for it was quite unlike anything I´d read. Have yet to read Boy in Darkness.
Noting Every Eye on my list!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Oct 18, 2020 @ 12:33:24
How lovely to have Peake read to you – wonderful! Boy in Darkness can stand alone, or sit within the Gormenghast stories I feel – but perhaps best read after the others. such a wonderful author. And I hope you enjoy Every Eye!